Facts and FAQs about Reentry

An important piece in understanding crime and our criminal justice system is to learn about the related facts and statistics. Sources like TV news, magazines, and newspapers have a story to tell so we get some facts, but not all the relevant information.

For instance, did you know that murderers are among the least likely to re-offend? Or that sentences for drug offenses (which are often non-violent) are often much longer that those given for rape or murder. Fair Shake’s list of facts and statistics are far from the last word; they are here to pique your interest and encourage further research. Together we can assure that our laws, and the representatives that make them, reflect the society we want to be.

Perception of Crime:

Drug Schedules

SCHEDULE I

Schedule I drugs are those with a high potential for abuse, with an absence of any medical use, that are dangerous to the user even under medical supervision. The more commonly recognized types of these drugs are: heroin, LSD, mescaline, marijuana, and peyote.

SCHEDULE II

Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and a high potential for severe psychological or physical dependency, but are currently accepted for medical use. Schedule II drugs include opium, cocaine, methadone, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.

SCHEDULE III

Schedule III drugs, by comparison have less potential for abuse than Schedule II drugs, a potential for moderate psychological or physical dependency, and an accepted medical use. The most well known Schedule III drug is naline, which is used to detect narcotic use.

SCHEDULE IV

Schedule IV drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs, they have a limited potential for dependency, and they are accepted in medical treatment. These drugs include tranquilizers, meprobamate, chloral hydrate, most drugs that cause sleep, and sedatives.

Perceptions of Crime Problem Remain Negative

The perception of crime is getting more negative even with crime rates improving.